EFFECT OF AN IMMUNIZATION CAMPAIGN IN NATAL AND KWAZULU ON VACCINATION COVERAGE RATES, 1990-1991

In 1990 the Department of National Health and Population Development o f South Africa launched a nationwide immunisation campaign targeted ma inly at measles, In order to measure the effect of the campaign on vac cination coverage rates for children, pre- and post-campaign vaccinati on coverage surveys were undertaken using a modified Expanded Programm e for Immunisation technique, stratified for race and urban/rural resi dence. The results in KwaZulu-Natal showed no significant increase in measles vaccination coverage for any race rates after the campaign (as documented by Road-to-Health cards), There was a decrease in coverage of the black population, However, when a history of measles vaccinati on was accepted, the results showed an increase in coverage. The resul ts call into question the effectiveness of immunisation campaigns as a strategy for raising vaccination coverage levels, as well as their ha ving a sustained impact on the incidence of measles, Alternative strat egies, such as the strengthening and expansion of existing primary hea lth care services, should be considered.